Seminole County mother charged in death of malnourished twin son

Seminole County mother charged in death of malnourished twin son

SANFORD, Fla.
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The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office is charging a Sanford mother with child neglect for the death of her twin son.

Deputies arrested Michelle Spinicchia, 26, Sunday for the death of three-week-old Benjamin Mitchell.

Investigators began looking into her back on Aug. 10 when Spinicchia said she and the baby’s father woke up and found the boy not breathing and cold to the touch. She told investigators she tried wrapping the baby in a blanket for warmth.

An autopsy has revealed Mitchell was severely malnourished and underweight. Investigators said the boy was born prematurely and needed medical treatment for breathing issues, but Spinicchia never took him to appointments.

Deputies say they charged Spinicchia based on what she told them. They believe she failed to provide the essential medical care needed to keep Mithcell alive.

The boy’s father tells WFTV he was the one who fed Benjamin, feeding him the same amount as the other twin. He believes Benjamin inherited a rare genetic disorder that deprived him of nutrients.

At the time of Spinicchia's arrest, she was out on bond for a March arrest on domestic violence charges against the baby's father; along with grand theft, resisting arrest and escape from a deputy's patrol car, investigators said.

Deputies said when Spinicchia was booked in jail Sunday, she damaged a fire sprinkler head. She's now facing additional charges for criminal mischief, creating a false fire alarm and damaging the sprinkler.

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